Guided wave based damage detection method for aircraft composite structures under varying temperatures

Abstract

Guided waves based damage detection methods using base signals offer the advantages of simplicity of signal generation and reception, sensitivity to damage, and large area coverage; however, applications of the technology are limited by the sensitivity to environmental temperature variations. In this paper, a Spearman Damage Index-based damage diagnosis method for structural health condition monitoring under varying temperatures is presented. First, a PZT sensor-based Guided wave propagation model is proposed and employed to analyze the temperature effect. The result of the analysis shows the wave speed of the Guided wave signal has higher temperature sensitivity than the signal fluctuation features. Then, a Spearman rank correlation coefficient-based damage index is presented to identify damage of the structure under varying temperatures. Finally, a damage detection test on a composite plate is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the Spearman Damage Index-based damage diagnosis method. Experimental results show that the proposed damage diagnosis method is capable of detecting the existence of the damage and identify its location under varying temperatures.